Outcomes of Intermaxillary Fixation Screws Versus Eyelet (Ivy Loop) Wiring Technique for Maxillomandibular Fixation in Fractures of Mandible

Abstract

Various techniques have been employed to achieve Maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). Although eyelet wiring and arch bars provide an efficient and flexible method of MMF, but there are some drawbacks. However the introduction of newer Intermaxillary fixation screws (IMFS) has advantage over eyelet wiring and arch bars. Objective: To compare the outcome of Intermaxillary fixation screws versus eyelet (ivy loop) wiring technique for Maxillomandibular fixation in fractures of mandible in term of mean time and mean pain. Methods: A Randomized control trial involving 96 patients (age 18-40 years) with mandibular fractures requiring MMF was conducted from 8th July 2017 to 8th December 2017( 6 month period) at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, King Edward Medical University affiliated Mayo Hospital, Lahore. The sampling technique was non probability consecutive. Patients with minimally displaced mandible fracture were included. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group-A received IMFS and group-B received eyelet fixation. Mean Time for fixation and mean pain score was measured. Results: The mean fixation time in IMFS group and Eyelet Fixation group was 11.46±2.95 min and 15.67±4.08 min respectively. The mean fixation time in IMFS group was significantly lower when compared to Eyelet fixation group, p-value<0.001. The mean pain in IMFS group was 4.35±1.75 and in eyelet fixation group 6.56±1.84 with significantly lower pain in IMFS group, p-value <0.001. Conclusion: Intermaxillary fixation with IMF screws is more efficacious in terms of less time and pain than eyelet wiring for fixation in mandibular fracture.